Rapid Response therapists

The rapid response therapy team is helping to ease hospital pressures by taking specialist care directly into patients’ homes.

The South Tees team saw 118 referrals from April to August of which only three had to be admitted to hospital. Of the remaining patients, six were admitted to care homes for emergency respite and two into intermediate care while the remaining 87% were treated safely at home.

Community occupational therapists, physiotherapists and therapy assistants provide a rapid response service across Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland from 8am to 8pm seven days a week.

Referrals can be made by GPs, accident and emergency, urgent care centres and hospital wards.

When an alert comes in the team has 20 minutes to call a central hub for details and must see the patient within two hours where possible.